Hosted VoIP

Since its founding in 1999, Digium (News - Alert), has grown to become a primary open source alternative to traditional communication providers, with offerings that cost as much as 80 percent less than proprietary voice communication platforms. Digium makes Asterisk open source telephony software available to the open source community under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and uses business-class Asterisk to power a broad family of products for small, medium and large businesses. The company's product line includes a wide range of hardware to enable resellers and customers to design their own voice VoIP systems. This year alone, more than six billion minutes of calls will be made using Asterisk.

 

I caught up with Bill Miller (News - Alert), vice president, product management and marketing at Digium to ask him what he thought about what technologies are changing the market landscape and what Digium is up to.

 

 

BM: The landscape is changing in IP Telephony. Open Source is picking up momentum and the mainstream is now including open source based solutions in their consideration of solutions. With partners now marketing Asterisk-based solutions as well as Digium's Switchvox and Asterisk Business Edition, adoption rates are clear to see moving north at a fast clip. There are new players and new choices for enterprises of all sizes from sub-50 seats to larger enterprises. Most importantly, VoIP is now accepted in more segments and the applications that separate IP-based systems are beginning to show clear benefits to businesses. Small businesses are purchasing bundled solutions that include all aspects of a complete offering.

 

BM: Digium continued its streak of profitable growth quarters to 24 while we experienced our one millionth download during December. Yes, we are very excited to build a 2008 on top of our successful 2007!

 

BM: We expect to continue our growth and profitability while expanding our markets, market share and growing the Asterisk Community.

 

BM: Open Source Asterisk IP Telephony and Web Mashups

 

BM: Skype has allowed people more free consumer based calling options and has cost eBay a lot of money!

 

BM: Too soon to tell, but Apple will have strong consumer offerings; Google (News - Alert) will continue to leverage their search engine success model; and Microsoft will be Microsoft — expecting everyone to adopt their solution.

 

BM: Watch out for new players…

 

BM: Growth and acceptance of Asterisk-based solutions in the mainstream. Expanding channels, ecosystem, and community!

 

BM: The fast-paced landscape changes.

 

BM: How and why mainstream is accepting open source solutions: from a partner, channel and user perspective

 

BM: Anyone who wants to learn about why open source Asterisk is a major choice for IP telephony including solution choices and benefits at all levels

BM: As the leader in the open source telephony space, we see the trends in real time and have first hand access to this data that we can share

 

BM: Changing landscape. Emerging solutions that are more powerful, easier to deploy, easier to manage, and are more cost effective.

 

BM: We will have a new U.S. President by year’s end… VoIP-wise, headlines will be filled with new mainstream players; Unified Communications will begin its death spiral! Oh, you said one... Pick the last one… It's more fun!